NOVI (WWJ) -- Novi police have completed their investigation into the tragic death of NHL player, Matiss Kivlenieks.
Authorities will not recommend charges in the case, saying it was investigated as an accident. They have now turned over their investigation to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
The Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender was in a hot tub at a celebration hosted by former Red Wings player Manny Legace over Fourth of July weekend, when he was struck by a mortar-style firework.
An autopsy from the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office later revealed the 24-year-old’s cause of death to be chest trauma.
Blue Jackets coach John Davidson says Legace, who is the team’s goaltending coach and was hosting the party following his daughter’s wedding, considered Kivlenieks to be like a son.
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“…We understand at this point that it was a day and a night of celebrating one of the most cherished events, a wedding. And the daughter of our goaltending coach Manny Legace — Sabrina — was married,” Davidson said. “It ended in a horrific accident that took the life of a wonderful young man.”
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office says they have not yet reviewed the case.